SURVIVOR.

        Two large coffees planted in a small carrier and a bag of food in hand, Sarah lifted an occupied hand and knocked on Jenna’s front door. It had been too long since she’s spent time with her best friend, so surprising the beauty with treats seemed like a good idea to the Krongold mother. “Jenna!” She yelled her name after a few moments passed with no answer. Twisting the knob, she opened the door and walked inside, making herself known seconds later.  “Surprise, J’! It’s your best friend with free coffee and food. If you have someone over, make them leave because I’m much better company.”

        “Let me help you with that,” The smooth, suggestive line exiting her kissed lips, Sarah gave Joshua a flrtatious smirk before fulling facing his way. Within a matter of seconds, she made her way on top of his lap and was now straddling him on the kitchen chair. The Krongold mother knew how her husband worked and the best way to distract him was using her body and arousal for him. As his arms hung around her waist, she was quick to wrap her arms around his neck before feeling her smirk run off her face. “The attempt to make this subject a joke isn’t that cute, hon. What happened between you two this time?”

        “If you don’t mind, I think I'll save that story for next month,” A light chuckle escaped Sarah’s mouth as she said those words to Gabriel. Summer was coming to an end and with Fall around the corner, so was Halloween. “It’s much easier said than done, but please don’t feel bad anymore, sweetie.” She told him, her tone becoming a little more serious again. “You need to feel rested right now and you’re far from a distraction. You’re the best thing in Chris’s life, please know that.” She believed her words were true without talking it over with Christopher. Their love and happiness together was so evident that the Krongold mother was more than ready to prepare for their future wedding. “Not much is going on with me, unfortunately. The only thing keeping me occupied is my training sessions with other members and prospects. I’ve been training again with Jennifer after years off the mat and I still have yet to ask Chris if he’d like to start training again.”

        “Still, you did amazing work that will never be forgotten,” Sarah told Camille in a genuine, kind manner before dropping the subject. The last thing she wanted to do was overtalk a subject and make the young woman uncomfortable. “I’m speaking for the members by saying that we’re all glad to have you here with us and a part of our big family.” She added. She was the mother to all Royals, prospects and all. “You’re very welcome. Do you have any questions for me so far or are you taking everything in still?”

        “Always do,” During these past few weeks, Sarah was always keeping an eye on both Chris and Jennifer. They weren’t kept on them too intently, but ever since the shooting, she was seen around them in the same buildings. At the end of the day, she was always protecting her children no matter what. When her daughter spoke of worry, her light grin spread more across her lips. “Honey, I know you’re incredibly strong and independent, but I worry about you all of the time. You’ll learn that when you become a mother one day.” She told her, already knowing she was going to make an incredible mother if she wanted to be one. “You’ve also been doing amazing during our training sessions. Are you wanting another one soon?”

        Not too long after Sarah lunged Ben’s way, she wasn’t shocked once he started to execute the directions she threw his way. His hold on her was spot on, the way they moved on the mat was graceful, but once her back landed on the ground, the rest of her body crashed a little harder than expected. Noticing the way he put a little more force into the moves made her curious, but it never stopped her from trying to fight back. Curiosity instantly turned into surprise once the Krongold mother spotted his curled fist aimed her way. “Ben,” She said his name in a serious tone to get his attention and when he pushed himself away, worry set into her body. “You have nothing to apologize for.” She told him kindly once she was up on her feet and by his side. Pushing the trainer in her to the side, the friend in her came out to play. “I may be repeating myself a bit, but I’m here if you’d like to talk about anything.” They were members of the same gang, sure, but at the end of the day, they were friends who cared about each other’s wellbeing. “We can take a long break or reschedule this whole session if you’d like. It’s up to you.”

        “You should get an award for how much you carry on those strong shoulders of yours,” Sarah stated before a sigh escaped her lips. On the day she told him I do, she knew she was marrying the future gang president and everything that came with it, the stress of every little thing on his shoulders included. Her eyes never leaving his, she leaned in and pressed a soft, yet meaningful kiss against his lips. Her love for him was out of this world and she needed to remind him any day she could. After pulling away, she let her thumb caress over his kissed lips before giving him another reminder. “Like always, if you need help taking your mind off of things or need a distraction, I’m here for you.”

THE END.

        Approaching the bar, Sarah’s eyes couldn’t help but lock onto Malcolm. Hearing his harsh words fly through the building, her hunger to protect her members controlled her actions as she headed his way. “Malcolm,” His name escaped her mouth in a stern, yet gentle tone. “I was just coming to see how you’re doing, but seeing as you just told them off, I’m going to skip that question entirely.” A grin pasted onto her lips, the Krongold mother was quick to order a glass of wine before letting her eyes lock onto the younger man again. “Do you mind if I drink next to you or would you like some space?”

        “No, thank you,” Sarah kindly declined Grace’s offer once approaching the younger woman in the street. “I would take it off your hands, but I don’t have a clue how to use one either.” She confessed easily, chuckling to her own words. “Personally, I think she should be selling those instead of handing them out for free, but that’s just me. What are you going to do with it?”

        “I understand more than you know,” Sarah truly did as she remembered the last time she was heavily medicated as clear as day. As the horrific event from 33 years ago clouded her mind, speaking about Christopher to his boyfriend made it go away. “My boy has always been the one to scare easily. Halloween became my favorite time of the year all because of how much he jumped from the horror films, moving lawn decorations, and masked costumes.” She said with a chuckle. Taking in the injured man’s words, she was quick to shake her head and lay her hand on his shoulder for support. “Oh sweetie, the last thing Chris feels around you right now is stuck.” She said kindly and calmly before continuing on. “He’s a social butterfly, but he would rather be here next to you, I’m sure of it.”

        “I’m glad you’re here,” Her gentle grin staying planted on her lips, Sarah spoke he truth. She needed help thinking up a revenge plan against the Devils and who better to dice one up with than her husband and the president himself. Taking in more of his exhausted features, she was quick to push her mug into his open hand. “Here, have the rest of my coffee and I’ll make myself another cup.” She said before she leaned up and pressed her lips against his cheek. Covering the kissed spot with her hand, her thumb caressed his face for a few moments before concern took over her features. “What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?”

        In a room full of Royals, Sarah was glued to Christopher’s side. After everything he went through with Gabriel these past few weeks, she couldn’t imagine the pain, hurt, and anger that was building up inside of him. She knew it was growing and was bound to explode out of him sometime soon, so she stayed by his side to stay on top of it. Once she watched him walk toward his recovering boyfriend, her eyes searched for Jennifer. When she found her daughter, it didn’t take her long to approach her side. “Hi, darling,” she grinned lightly before patting her softly on the back for support. “He’s hanging in there. He may be putting on a strong face, but I can see his anger rising from a mile away.” Even though her mind was filled with worried thoughts about her son, she never forgot about her youngest. “How are you doing?”

        It was the two week anniversary of the shooting at the masquerade ball and the Royals called a meeting. Sarah wasn’t opposed to it, but at this moment, she didn’t want to be attending it. She would rather be in the gym working on her skills or training her children, but being a role model to most members and prospects, missing a meeting wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. After getting all of the information about the beautiful, newly patched member sitting in the booth, it was time to make her grand introduction. “Hello, Miss. Rodriguez,” she said as she settled into her seat for the rest of the evening. “I don’t mind one bit. Stay with me as long as you’d like.” After answering her kindly, it didn’t take her long to get straight to the point. “First off, I would like to personally say thank you for all of your help during the shooting. I heard you did great work. Second, if you need anything or are curious about what’s going on, please know that I’ll always be here for you.”